Method of and machine for making gauges and other articles



April :19% 1,491,101 W. E. HDKE l MBTHGD OF ANH MACHN FR MARN@ GUGES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed July 8, 19191 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @so mno G00 @op Ooo ooo so@ ooo April 22 1924. 1,491,101

W. E. HOKE METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MARN@ GAUGES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed July 3, 1919 2 Sheets' Shgt 2 TI-Eg 'i im E ana? abcd,

fil NEN@ Patented Api. 22,1924.

UNITED STAT-Es .PAT-Enfrf OFFICE WILLIAM E. nous, or' sfr-Louis, mrssounr: AssIeNon 'ro Rahim @WHITNEY con PANY, F NEW YORK, N. Y., A COBQQBATION, QE NEW JERSEY.

METHOD' or AND MACHINE ron 'unirme Gartens Nn orner.' an'rxcnns.

Appncaam n iea my ama. semi 11n. .s oaua.4

Thi'nvention relates to a method of lap- 1,0 ping gauge blocks or similar articles to produce identical sizes, and particularly to produce plane parallel opposite surfaces separated from each other y an assigned dimension, with a high degree of accuracy. V yThe 15 method is in some respects similar to the' methods set forth in my copending applications -for method of making identical articles, Serial No. l252,073 filed August 30th, 1918, and for method of andmachne for making anges and other articles, Serial No.

289,591 ed A ril 12th, 1919. The invention further re ates 'to a machine whereby the method may be practiced..

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated in diagrammatic form a machine embed ing` the mechanical features of vthe inventlon and adapted for practicing the method. I have also presented further diagrams by which the method will be explained in detail. It will be understood that the drawings are for illustrative pur ses only and are not to be construed as vde ning or limiting the scope of the invention, the

' claims appended to this specification beingrelied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the lme e-e of Fig. 1. 4 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a different form of plate that may be used for moving the blocks.

Figs. 4 to 12 are diagrammatic v1ews-further' illustrating the method. 45, The blocks to be lapped are rst formed with the desired shape and with a little more than the desired length, by any usual oereferred means. When they are to be u as gauges the blocks are hardened and other- 5 wise suitably treated, but these preliminary steps constitute no art of the present invention. After the .locks have been thus formedand treated, they are then subjected to a lapping o ration or a series of lapping operations an are otherwise acted upon,yin the manner to be described. l Refer!" to land 2 ofthedraw- 1ngs,-1t wi 1 be seen that the machine in cludes two 4laps 1 and2 of-similar size and preferably rectangular in form, having their adjacent faces 3 and 4 made as nearly plane as possible in accordance with any method for roducin plane surfaces. The adjacent su aces of t e two laps aresuitably pre-- pared and are chargedwith an abrasive such as fine emery. The character ofthe laps and of the abrasive may be varied. as required. A number of similar blocks B--B are placed between the two laps A1 and 2,

these blocks being arranged'in at least one definite group', and preferably in two equal `definite groups. For holding the blocks of each grouplm properrelationship and for Y In order to cause lapping, relatlve movement is eected between the blocks and the laps, this movement referably being effected by moving the b ocks and holding the llags against any considerable movement.

Ye laps Vare caused to contactwith the blocks with a proper rassure, and while I do not so limit Inysel as concerns all featuresof the invention, this pressure is referabl secured by arranging the artsorizon y, as shown. The lower hip is held byV a suitable support 7, and the wei ht of .y

the upper lap is utilized to secure ne desired pressure between the lapsA and the blocks. The upper lap is supported entirely on the blocks, and if ter rassure is deaired additional weig t can gievapplied to the upper lap. The upper lap is entirely.

as concerns vertice movement and it can adjust itself as to parallelism with the lower la in accordance with the lengths of the bloc The lower lap is held against movement b its eient with the support 7 and e upper lap is held. anyl considerable horizontal movement by any suitable means such as the two I-bolts 8, S en ging pins 9, 9 on the support l n accordance with the present invention, the relative m'ovement between the blocks and the laps is referably a reciprocating one, and prefers. ly the -movement is .compound, recipnocations being effected simultaxieously in two directions at right angles to each odienfWhen two equal groups of blocks are provided, as is preferred, they are so positioned with respect to the laps that the weight of the upper lap is equally l 'divided betweenfthe two groups of blocks,

and the reciprocating movements of the two groups of blocks are effected in such definite relation to each other that this equal distribution or balancing vof the weight of the upper la is always maintained. As the result o this ual distribution of the weight, I secure .t e same amount of preslsure and hence the saine amount of lapping on all of the blocks and I make it impossible for some'ofthe-blocks of onegroup to be reduced more rapidly than the blocks of the other up, 'or for the blocks at one side of a single group to be' reduced more rapidl than those at the other side.

s shown in the drawings, the two plates 5, 5 are, engaged by a.'- suitable mechanism which' serves to reciprocate them simultaneously fin opposite directions. This mechanism may vary widely, but for purposes' of illustration., I have show-n two similar, walking beams 10, 10 which are pivoted for movement about parallel axes atv 11, 11.

'The' walking beams are connected with therighthand plate 5, by means of parallel motion links 12,'12 and are connected with the left-hand plate' by means of parallel motion links 13,' 13. two walking beams are provided with similar actuating arms 14, 14 which are connected by a'link 15 and which are adapted to be oscilla-ted by means of a connecting rod' 16 engaging a 1 7 on a rotating crank disk 18. It will seen that when the disk 18 is rotated the two walking beams will be oscillated, thus causing the two plates 5, 5 to be regularly reciprocated rin opposite d irections.

The parallel motionlinks 12, 12 and 13, 13

cooiera-ting with the walking beams serve to -hold the two plates 5, 5 in parallelism during their-recipix'ation's It will be seen that inasmuch as the two groups of blocks move 'oppositelyu they are always 'symmetrically disposed4 with respect tothe longitu'dzinalcenter line of the laps, the weight of the upper lap` therefore, being equally "Preferably, in-onder tliatea'ch group of blocksf'nayengage a l'ativ'elyflarge part of thelap'sufaces; I 'provide for a supplemental; I simultaneous "ecipmcati moveright exact arrangement.

ingles 'that be ore de` scribed. The mechanism for effecting this supplemental reciprocating movement may vary widely, but for purposes of illustration I have shown two crank disks 19 and 20 which respectivel carry pins 21 and 22 entering longitudinal slots 23, 23 in the respective plates 5, 5. The two crank disks 19 and 2O are connected together for synchronous rota-tion, as for instance by means of gears 24, 25 and 26. c When the'disks are rotated the plates 5, 5 are oppositely reciproca-ted toward and from the transverse center lineof the. laps. The lengths of the slots 23 are such that this longitudinal reciprocating movement does not interfere in any way with the transversel reciprocating movement.. Inasmuch \as the longitudinal' reciprocating movements of the two groups of blocks are equal, they are at all times symmetrically disposed with respect to. the transverse center line of the la and the weight of the u per lap remains equally divided Ibetween t e two groups for all purposes thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each. plate 5 .is provided with a large opening 6 which;

substantially fits the group of blocksBf-B to be lapped. As shown, the blocksa-re rectangular and the group consists of intersect-ing rows. I do not, however, limit my self as to the shape of the blocksor the Under some circumstances it may be preferable to provide somewhat different plates, as shown in' Fig. 3. This figure shows a plate 5L having a number of small circular apertures 6*, each adapted to receive a single block. 'As illustratcd. each aperture 6l is somewhat larger than the block so as topermit the block to turn or roll slowly as the late moves .in different directions, I have s iown blocks A .i which are circular, but it will be understood that l am not limited to circular blocks.

In accordance with my method, the machine as shown is operated for a reasonable time, been apped and until the laps engage all of them ually. Then thel movement is stopped um one lap, ordinarily the upper n.

lap, is removed, thus leaving the blocks exposed. Certain blocks are then transferredI in such a way as to distribute any errors or variations -in the respective lengths. group of blocks of sli litly varyin those at one art of t e Vi'oup will' average. longer than t ose at anot er part. Similarly, when two similar groups are provided,

lengths it may be assumed that those of one group l will average longer than those of the other. Following this assumption it will be seen that the transferring must be such that the longer and shorter blocks will be commingled, preferably one or more of the l referably until all of the blocks have It may be assumed that with a no.

" si "grgup, The bias a and c, have l iongsrtlk vbeing paibnd between am or more of thehorter bl ks. In order that -the longer and shorter blocks may be uniformly distributed, the transferring 1s prev erably Veffected symmetrically.

' The-blocks of any one group may be .transferred or moved about in a variety of -weye eighttransverse rows designated 1-4-2-3- I 5 I4-8.. As' illustrated in .Fig 5, two of the lon itudinal rows, as for instance n interchanged. As illustrated in Fig. 6, alternate transverse rows 'and 8 and'B and 6.

have been,`intercliansed, as for instance 1 illustrated in Fig. 7, alternate longitudinal rows, as for instance b and d have'been reversed end for end. p

As illustrated 'in Fig. 8,.4 alternate transverse rows'as for instance 2, 4, 6 4an'd 8, have -been reversed end for end. As illustrated in Fig. 9,- alternate individual blocks have beenturned through 180. 'It will be clear the blocks may be transferred in other ways, Aparticularl in combinations of the ways illustrated. 'urthermore, it may under certain conditions be desirable to turn some of the blocks over.

It will be'seen that the transferring or transposing of the blocks in the ways described serves to equally distribute an errors or variations'in length. If the b ocks at one side are longer .than vthose at 'the other side, or if the blocks Vat one end are lon er than thoseat'the othery end, the sevchanges will place the era transpositions or the shorter blocks in longer blocks between alternate relationship.

Preferably Fig. 1'1,

two lon itudinal rows of each group haveQ-been mtcrchanged as 4for instance a and hand c and f. As illustrated in lil'g. 12, -alternate transverse rows of each `group have been interchanged, as for instance 1 and 9. 3 and 11, 5 and 13 and 7 and 'variations when two groups of blocks are. provided as illustrated, transferring or- Obviously the laps will at first engage only i the longer blocks,l thus reducing their len ths. The lapping'operation is continue preferably until thelaps again engage all of the blocks. Obviously the blocks are more nearly uniform in length than before, but there may still be some variation.

'.lhel'eore transferring is again effected as before described, the vmanner thereof beinfg varied, and the blocks are a fain lappe These operations are Vrepeated a ternately 1n succession for a number of times and the final result is that all of the blocks have exactly the same length and have their end surfaces exactly fiat and parallel.

The blocks having been made with iden tical lengths and with plane parallel end surfaces, the lapping operation is .then continued to reduce the len hs to the desired redetermined amount. f considerable additional lapping is required to secure the desired uniform length, it may be preferable to continue the transferrin of the blocks from timeto time to avoi possible The blocks may be measured in any desired way redetermined lengths have been reached.

se may be made of the method of measurement set forth in my aforesaid application Serial No. 289,591, but this method con- .etitut-es no part of my present invention and need not be here described.

lVhat I claim is:

1. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to il.produce parallel flat end faces and identic len ths, which consists to ascertain when the in arranging the severa blocks in a definite group between two opposed iiat laps held against any considerable relative movement, permitting the laps to adjust `themselves as to ilo rallelism in accordance with thelengths of the blocks, and causing relative reciprocation between the group of blocks and the laps to eiect lapping.

2 The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths', which consists; in arran ing-the several blocks against. any considera le relative movement, permitting the laps to adjust themselves as to parallelism in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, causing relative reciprocation between the group of blocks and the laps to eiect lapping, and also simultaneousl causing relative reciprocation at a di ferent rate 'between the group of blopks andthe lap in'al direction perpendiculafrto the direction of the 'first said reciprocation. 3. The methodv of reducing a number of and causing such movement of the two groups of` blocks with respect to the laps thatthe weight of the upper lap is always equally dividedbetweenthe two groups of blocks.

4. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in two equal definite groups between two opposed horizontal flat laps, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, and oppsositely reciprocating the two groups of bloc with respect to the laps so that the weight of the upper lap isalways equally' divided between vthe two groups of blocks.

5. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to 'roduce parallel fiat end faces and identica lengths, which consists inarranging the several, blocks in two equal definite groups between two opposed horizontal fiat la permitting the upper lap to itsel with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, reciprocating the two groups of blocks with to the laps parallelly with a center line thereof, and simultaneously reciprocating the two groups of blocks with respect to the laps perpendicularly to the said center line at a different rate, the reciprocating movements of the two groups in each direction being e'qual and opposite so that the weight of the upper lap is always equally divided between the two groups of blocks. 6. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat. end faces and identical len hs, which consists in arranging the severa blocks in a definite group between two opposed flat laps held against any considerable relative movement, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the 'lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, causing rela.- tive reciprocation between the group of blocks and the lap to e'ect lapping, transferring some of the blocks to distribute variations in length, and repeating the lapping .and transferring operations alternately u'ntil identical lengths are obtained.

7. The method of reducing a, number `of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths,-which consists in arranging the several blocks in a' definite group'between two opposed flat laps held against any considerable relative movement, the said group comprising a. plurality of parallel rows, permittingl the upper lap to l adjust itself with respect to the lower lap inaqcordance with the lengths of the blocks, causing relative reciprocation between ythe group of blocks and the lap to effect lapping, interchanging some of the rows of blocks to distributevariations in length, and repeating the lapping o ration.

8. The method of re ucing a number of similar blocks 'to roduce parallel at end faces and identical) len lis, which consists inarrangingthesevera blocks in a definite groupbetween two opposed fiat laps held against any considerable relative movement, the said group comprising a plurality of intersecting rows, permitting the upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths `of the blocks, causing relative reciprocation between the group of blocks and the lap to effect lappin g,=interchangi ng some of the rows extending in one direction to distribute variationsin length,` interchanging some of the rows extending in the other direction to further distribute variations in length, and repeating the lapping operation after each interchanging.`

9. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallelflat end faces and identicall lengths, which consists in arranging the several blocks in a definite group 'between two opposed flat laps held against any considerable relative movement` the said group comprising a plurality of parallel rows, permitting thev upper lap. to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in .accordance with the lengths of the blocks, causing relative reciprocation betweenthe group of blocks and the lap to effect lapping,

reversing some of the rows of blocks to distribute variations in length, and repeating the lapping operation.

10. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel fiat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arranging the several bloclis in a definite group between'two opposed fiat laps held -against any considerable relative movement, 'the said group comprising a plurality-of parallel rows, permitting the. upperlap' to adjust itself with respect to' the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks,

-causing relative reciprocation between the group of blocks and the lap to effect lapping, reversing alternate blocksito distribute 'varlations in length, and repeatingthe lapping operation. .a 5;- 1. 11. The method of reducing a number of iur-ranging the several blqpks intwo Vequal definite groups Abetween two opposed `flat laps, permitting the lapsr to adjustlthemselves as to parallelism in accordance` with the lengths," of the' blocks, moving 'the two groups of blocks with respect to the laps in IIB @similar blocksto reduce":parallelriiataend 'ffa'ces and identica' f len'gths, which cons-ists interchanging some of the rows of bloc s ofin length, an

different directions to eii'ect lapping, interchanging some of the blocks of one group with some ot' the blocks of the other group to distribute variations in length, and repeatin the lapping operation.

12. he method of reducing a number of similar blocks to roduce parallel flat end faces and identical) lengths, which consists in'arrangin'g .the several blocks in two equal definite groups between two opposedflat laps, each group comprising a pluralityof arallel rows, permitting the laps to a ust t emeselves as to parallelism in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, moving the two groups of blocks with respect to the laps in different directions to eiect lap ing,

one grou with some of the rows of blocks of the ot er repeating the lapping operation. I

13. The method of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identical lengths, which consists in arrangin theseveral blocks in a plurality of equal efnite groups betweentwo opposed y.lo

horizontal iat la s permitting the -upper lap to adjust itself with respect to the lower lap in accordance with the lengths of the blocks, and reciprocating the said. groups of blocks with respect'to the laps so that the weight of the upper lap is always e ually divided amon the said groups of blocks.

14. The met od of reducing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel flat end faces and identica lengths, which consists in-arranging the several blocks in two equal definite groups between two opposed hori-y zontal fiat laps, permitting the u per lap to adjust itsel with respect to the ower lap in accordance with the len s of the blocksf, o posite reciprocating t e two" u s o bloeks with respect to the la s sogxtlia the weight of the upppr lap is wa s uall divided between t 5clifelil y e two grou ocks,

interchanglmg some of the b ocks of one4 some of the blocks` of the other' groupito distribute variations in length, and

group wit re eatin the lap ing o eration. g5. Tls methodP surfaces and identical lengths, whichcon- (group to distribute variations `p i f re ucing a number of similar blocks to produce parallel dat end f sists in arranging the several blocus in. two

equal definite groups between two opposd'd flat laps, permitting' the laps to adjlust themselves as to parallelism in accordance -with the -lengths of the blocksmoving the two groups of blocks with respect to the laps group with some of the blocks of the other,v

rou to further distribute variations in engt and repeating the lapping operation after each transferring and inteichanging.4

16. A lapping machine includin in com bination, two opposed horizontal laps having flat working surfaces, the upper lap being freely movable vertically,two similar lates positioned between the laps and having openings therein for blocks to be lapped, the said plates being symmetrically located with respect to the upper lap so that the weight of the latter will be equally divided among the blocks engaged by the res tive plates, and means for reciprocating t e two plates opposi-tely so that they remain symmetrical y disposed with respect to the upper lap, whereb the weight of the said lap remains equa ly divided between the blocks as aforesaid,

17. A lapping machine including in combination, two opposed horizontal la s having flat workin surfaces, the upper ap being freely move le vertically, two similar plates positioned between the laps 4 and having openings therein for blocks to be lapped, the said plates'beiig symmetrically located with respect to the u` per lap so that the weight of the latter wi be' equally divided among the blocks engaged by the respective plates, means for reciprocating the two plates o ositely so that they remain symmetricall) isposed with respect to the upper, lap, and means for simultaneously reciprocating the twxplates op itely in a direction rpendic ar to the irection of the first saireci rocation so that they remain symmetrical y disposed with respect to the center line perpendicular to the first said center line.

In testimony whereof, I hereto ax my signature.

r l WILLIAM E. HOKE. 

